Free Federation Reborn 1: Battle Lines by Chris Hechtl Page B

“What??” the ensign gibbered behind her. She turned enough to see his profile. His dark mahogany skin didn't pale, but his expression was priceless. “Shut that damn thing off!”
    “We can't!” the helmsman said, cringing in his seat. “Not until everyone reports to their duty station and we finish whatever the hell it is!”
    “Two ships coming up on our stern. CIC makes them out as destroyers, Captain,” Kyly said, all business. “They will be in weapons range in thirty seconds. Orders? Suggest we maneuver to get our ass out of the fire,” she suggested helpfully just as the lights dimmed and went red for the battle station's condition.
    Whatever the skipper was doing, he was most certainly not going to be there for long the lieutenant thought cheerfully. And the ensign wouldn't be enjoying his little power trip for long she thought as he gibbered, clearly flat footed. “Sir, unscheduled drill online, tactical assignment. We've got to get through it,” she said patiently.
    “What the hell is going on?” the captain bellowed, voice deep in rage. “Dahl, what the hell did you do now??!””

 
    Chapter 5
     
    Rear Admiral Subert's arrival in Pyrax was celebrated across the star system. The media had live coverage going the moment his ship entered the star system. Interview requests came clamoring in from all corners of the star system, swamping the public affairs department. The admiral made it clear he wanted a private arrival before the change of command ceremony.
    Horatio met the newly arriving flag officer at the lock with Monty. Both men were dressed in their formal uniforms and waited patiently for the shuttle to dock. Apparently the admiral had chosen a space cutter to make the hop instead of an ascraft, so the boat bay had been nixed at the last minute and the lock had been chosen.
    Horatio blessed the maintenance department's hard work. They had kept on top of the cleaning and workings of the annex. Nothing squeaked and it all looked ship shape. He hoped the Admiral took that into consideration when he did his initial cursory inspection. He turned to the intelligence officer, studying him under hooded eyes.
    Commander Montgomery looked a bit stuffy in his uniform; he obviously hadn't gotten comfortable wearing it. He always found some excuse to duck a function Horatio thought.
    “I think I'm glad you banned the bands and cameras for this part,” Monty said out of the side of his mouth. He eyed the side party with amusement. “I think the side party is a bit much though. Shouldn't that be only for ships?”
    “I'm not sure how stuffy this admiral is so I'm playing it safe. There is no sense getting off to the wrong foot over some hurt feelings,” Horatio stated flatly.
    “Oh.”
    He nodded in approval to the side party. The ensign in charge was nervous but realized the captain wasn't going to let him shirk his responsibility one iota. He took to the role then, having no other choice.
    While the ensign nervously kept checking and rechecking the flag and his group for defects real or invisible, the captain spoke quietly with Monty. They still had a few minutes while waiting for ship to dock with the station. They watched the monitor nervously. “Anything we need to know about this admiral?” Monty asked, ready to dispense with the small talk. He felt for Horatio; he really did. Horatio seemed torn. On the one hand relieved that someone was stepping in, but on the other resenting it since he was being brushed aside like yesterday's news. The old man may have complained a bit about handling the job, but like Monty he'd grown into it just fine. Both had certainly … matured he thought as the captain organized his thoughts.
    Horatio turned to look at Monty. “You mean the intel puke doesn't know?”
    Monty shook his head. “Only what is in his file. And only the parts I am cleared for. I admit, I only had a chance to glance at it once. I was hoping you'd read between the lines for